MUsta been really quick because McCain was in his seat at the beginning of Cheney.
McCain and Zell on opposing sides makes the press go wild. They will rush to ask Bush about it in an accusatory froth. W. will say something magnanimous and it will come off as very presidential. He'll handle it just like he handled the Swift-boat thing. The president triangled that one perfectly and came out of it looking brilliant. This McCain V. Miller (Good Cop/Bad Cop) gives him the opportunity to do it again. I do not know if it was planned (I'll bet it was) but whatever the case, if McCain bagged on Zell, he just did Bush a great favor. Brilliant strategy